Director of Young Disciples

Diocese of Grand Rapids; Michigan; Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Diocese of Grand Rapids in Michigan seeks a Director of Young Disciples to develop and lead a comprehensive youth ministry for middle and high school students, working closely with the pastor.

Responsibilities include recruiting and forming volunteer teams, coordinating with Faith Formation, organizing retreats, rallies, and service projects, and overseeing communications and budget for youth and young adult programs.

Qualifications

• Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing.
• Complete Diocesan Safe Environment Training within the first month of employment.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills; proficient with technology.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, form, and supervise youth catechist teams for grades 7–12.
• Coordinate with Faith Formation to prepare students for Confirmation.
• Plan and host retreats, rallies, or conferences for youth.
• Organize service projects involving parish and youth.
• Lead Young Adult Ministry for ages 18–35 and coordinate related events.
• Assist with OCIA by developing curricula and teaching weekly classes.
• Publish parish communications about youth/young adult activities.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Technology proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Director of Young Disciples is responsible for developing, coordinating, and leading a comprehensive youth ministry program for middle and high school students of the parish. He/she will work very closely with the pastor to engage Net Ministries or something of equivalence to form and equip our youth and young adults as missionary disciples. He/she works very closely with the Director of Faith Formation meeting the catechetical component of youth/young adult ministries. Finally, he/she will work closely with the parish administrative assistant in assembly and publication of the parish bulletins.

Specific Duties

a) Youth Ministries

• Recruits, forms, leads and supervises the 7th – 12th grade catechist formation team
• Works with the Director of Faith Formation to ensure that our students are properly prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
• Plans and hosts a retreat for the parents and students preparing for confirmation.
• Plan, organize, and lead any Deanery Youth Rally, Retreat, or Conference
• Organize at least one service project a year to bring both the parish and the youth together to accomplish one mission.
• Mentor the youth to participate in the life of the parish as Altar Servers, Ushers, and Sacristans, Readers, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion after their confirmation.
• Assist the youth to coordinate and lead Lenten Station of the Cross and other spiritual activities relating to the seasons.
• Work with the pastor to reach out to the neighboring parishes to foster something like Net Ministries or its equivalent, equipping our youth to be missionary disciples.
• Responsible for registration forms, registration, and if necessary, parent meetings
• Responsible for all communication in the bulletin, on the website, and on social media when it comes to youth/young adults.
• Prepare and administer the operating budget of youth ministries according to the policies established by the parish.
• Responsible for background checks and all documentation needed for Protecting God’s Children and to ensure all catechists in youth ministries obtain the certification as specified by the Diocesan Office of Catechesis.

b) Young Adults Ministries

• Recruits, leads and supervises the Young Adult Ministry for individuals 18 – 35 years old
• Seeks input from movements such as FOCUS or equivalent to start the young adult formation.
• Gathers young adults monthly for social/spiritual support
• Coordinate one annual Young Adult Retreat or promote young adults’ participation in the SEEK Conference or its equivalent.
• Mentors and leads young adults to realize that they are, together with the youth, not just the future, but the present of the parish and the need of being the missionary disciples
• Prepares and administers the operating budget of young adults ministries according to the policies established by the parish.

c) Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) and Parish Evangelical Team

• Assists the Director of Faith Formation with OCIA by leading the classes for the youth/young adults. The assistance includes but not limited to – creating curriculum, a yearly plan and teaching weekly classes
• Assist with the Sacred Paschal Triduum masses and all the special liturgies that the Elect and Candidates are called to participate in.
• Participates in Divine Renovation meetings and events.
• Assists the Pastoral Council in bringing Alpha to the parish by coordinating a Parish Alpha Youth session.

d) Knowing the Parish and the Community at Large

• Edits, assembles, and publishes the parish weekly bulletin to know the parish and its calendar
• Tunes into the community events, especially to those healthy things that are of interest to the youth and young adults
• Establishes a link of the parish with the community of youth and young adults throughout the Diocese of Grand Rapids

e) Spiritual Enrichment

• Weekly Holy Hour (does not have to be at SJP2)
• Monthly Confession
• Attend Mass regularly on Sundays and if possible, on weekdays.

Qualifications

• Practicing Catholic and in good standing with the Catholic Church
• Completes the Diocesan Safe Environment Training within the first month of the “Introductory Period of Employment”
• Has excellent communication and organizational skills and use of technology
• Has an Advance Catechist Certification as specified by the Diocesan Office of Catechesis (if not, should be certified by the Introductory Period of Employment)
• Possess a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
• Demonstrates competence in theology, catechesis, program coordination, catechist development and application of age-appropriate teaching methods, communication, supervision and administration.

Job Features

Job Category Parishes